CHRIST REVEALED THROUGH US
“But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb, and called me by his grace, To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood.” Galatians 1:15, 16
When we think about the work of God’s grace in our lives, we might consider it as His work in us and then His work through us. Paul used these words, “To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen.”
There is a definite and necessary progression to these two aspects of God’s transforming work in us. For Him to effectively work through us in ministry, He must be allowed to work in us, in salvation and ongoing maturity. This progressive work in us will not be completed until we are taken to glory; then we will finally become like our Lord. God’s activity in our hearts will result in His being manifested through us, or as Paul said, “that I might preach him among the heathen.”
There are three distinct effects of what God does in our lives. Most importantly, it is an opportunity for His name to be glorified. Secondly, it benefits the believer as we experience His life-changing salvation. Finally, it touches others, as the Lord works through us to influence a needy world.
Some professors of faith in Christ have the self-centered notion that salvation is only about us. Therefore, they behave as though it is acceptable for a person who claims to be saved to live with little regard for serving Christ and others. This logic is foreign to the Word of God. For Paul, the natural by-product of Christ making Himself real in our lives will be for Him to make Himself known through our lives.
Jesus is the Light of the world. As He brings light into our lives, that light is revealed in us, that it might also shine through us for others to see. Christ will be seen through our lives as He conforms us to what He would have us to be. Others can see the evidence of His work in us. He is likewise revealed through us as we testify of God’s goodness and grace in our lives. He is also revealed through us as we serve Him and others in various areas of ministry. He reveals Himself in us that He might be revealed through us in preaching, teaching, singing, and serving. May we be encouraged to continue to see Christ revealed in us, that He might then be revealed through us, all for His glory.